SUMMARY
The Washington Commanders ended a long drought without success in the playoffs on Sunday by winning down to the wire, 23-20 at the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to secure their first participation in the second round in 19 years.
In a most dramatic outcome, kicker Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard attempt hit the right post, but still penetrated.
Next weekend, we will see the Commanders challenge the powerful Detroit Lions, the first favorites in the National Association, at Ford Field.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels made a few key throws to pave the way for Gonzalez’s punt as the final seconds of the game ticked down.
Daniels, 24, is the first NFL freshman quarterback to win a playoff game in a rival stadium since Russell Wilson with Seattle following the 2012 season.
The young general completed 24 of his 35 passes for gains of 268 yards through the air. He added 36 yards rushing on 13 carries, while the rest of his club’s ground attack was kept in check.
During the heroic sequence, Daniels notably joined Austin Ekeler on a risky, but oh-so-paying trap pass, which helped Washington make its way into Tampa territory.
Washington’s last victory in the post-season calendar was signed on the pitch in Tampa, in January 2006.
In the first quarter, Chase McLaughlin ran 50 yards and broke the ice, giving the Bucs a priority of a field goal.
The Commanders then came out of their shell, to the point of having the upper hand at halftime in terms of time of possession – almost 19 minutes – but also yards gained and first downs obtained.
Seeing his club trailing 3-0 in the second quarter, Daniels showed his usual confidence in the pocket to connect with an unguarded Dyami Brown in the back of the end zone.
When they returned to attack, the visitors continued to methodically chip away at the field. They were stopped at the line at the Tampa 33 line on third down, but never mind, Gonzalez increased his club’s priority to seven points by centering the ball between the posts for 52 yards.
The Bucs then had 1:46 to score before the break, and it was this moment that veteran Baker Mayield chose to let his magic touch work.
After providing a brilliant rushing effort to cross half-field, Mayfield connected with his favorite target Mike Evans for a touchdown, despite tight coverage by Marshon Lattimore.
The score was therefore tied 10 to 10 when it was time to return to the locker room.
Lead changes galore
Starting the second half with the ball, the Commanders maneuvered well to get to the goal gate, but the Tampa defense did not flinch.
Gonzalez made his short 22-yard attempt, and Washington was back in control, 13-10.
Washington’s lack of opportunism was all the more painful as the Bucs immediately scored their second major of the game, that of the versatile Bucky Irving on a short pass in the flank from Mayfield.
Tampa then went back in front by four points, 17 to 13.
That lead was threatened when a defensive interference penalty was called on Zyon McCollum, putting the Commanders in a more than advantageous position, at line 1, for the very first play of the fourth quarter.
Remarkably, the Bucs held on and stopped Daniels and his offense on four straight plays.
Except that the defense would cause a turnaround that would immediately make us forget the ineffectiveness of Washington’s attack. Mayfield was fumbled while attempting a throw to a teammate in the backfield at his own 13, and veteran Bobby Wagner pounced on the loose ball.
This time, the opportunity was too good for Dan Quinn’s men, who slipped back into the driver’s seat for the second time of the evening, with 9:46 remaining in the duel, courtesy of a five-yard catch from Terry McLaurin on fourth down and two yards to go.
The Bucs seemed on their way to overcoming their gaffe of the previous sequence, but another misunderstanding caused a loss of ground on third down and short, deep in the Commanders zone.
This means that the Floridians relied on McLaughlin for the equalizing kick (20 to 20) with 4:41 to go, rather than aiming for the coveted touchdown.
